Monogamy was practiced. In some areas such as Bakanai township in Lancang county and Menghai county in Xishuangbanna, young people were free to choose their marriage partners, and only a few marriages were arranged by parents.

Women played the dominant part in marital relations. After the wedding, the husband stayed permanently in the wife's home, and kinship was traced through the mother's side.

In other areas, men played the dominant part in the marriage. Betrothal gifts were sent through a matchmaker before the wedding. On the evening of the wedding day the husband was required to stay in the bride's home with his production tools.

After 1949, with the implementation of the marriage law, the old custom of sending betrothal gifts had been less strictly observed.